Lunch-can



(No Model.) 7

W. E. HOWELL. LUNCH OAN N0. 543,095. Patented July 23, 1895.

W m 0 a H E m w W UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

WILLIAM EDWIN HOWELL, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO CHARLES D. STINGLE, OF PHILIPSBURG, MONTANA.

' LUNCH-CAN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 543,095, dated July 23, 1895. Application filed January 28, 1895 $.erial No. 536,467. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM EDWIN How- ELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles 5 and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lunch-Cans, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to lunch-cans, the object and construction of which will be here- I inafter set forth and claimed, reference being had to the annexed drawing,- whieh is a sectional perspective View of my improved can. The primary object of my invention is to produce a can which shall properly andat all r times ventilate its contents. The necessity of this will at once be apparent upon the inspection of the ordinary closed can as is commonl y used by miners, who, having their meals put up at an early hour and working in a so damp close atmosphere, often find the contents of the can unfit for consumption or at the best unpalatable. Besides accomplishing this important object my can issimple and durable in construction and is readily cleaned.

In the drawing, A represents the outer can or body, preferably cylindrical, which has a tube B extending from the bottom thereof to near its top, said tube being open at both top and bottom. Feet or projections a are formed 0 on the bottom of the can, so that air may circulate thereunder and.have free entrance into the ventilating-tube B.

O designates a second can adapted to fit within the upper part of the outer or main 3 can-body A. It is provided with an opening D in its bottom of such a size as to allow the tube B to pass snugly therethrough. On the under face of the bottom of can 0 and around the opening D is secured a collar E,

} 49 the opening in which forms a continuation of the opening D. This collar has a groove formed in its inner face in which is seated a packing-ring b, of rubber or like material, which bears against the tube B and forms a 5 joint impervious to liquids. It is essential that such a joint be formed,as the lower portion of the can or bodyAis designed to carry liquids, and to permit their entrance into the upper portion of the can would be to destroy its utility. I do not wish, however, to limit, myself to this special construction of the joint.

The can 0 is supported in its position by lugs c, which take into corresponding notches (1, formed in the upper edge of the outer can or body A. A cover G fits over the top of the can and is provided with the usual cupor drinking-vessel. Notches are also formed in the flange of the cover, into which the ends of the lugs a fit.

A series of holes or openings 6 is made near the upper ends of cans and C, so that when the can 0 is in its proper position the openings will register or be in line, and air entering in through the tube B into the can 0 may pass out therefrom through said openings, the registration of the holes being insured by the lugs c and notches d. A series 'of holes or openings is also formed in the flange of the cover, which register with openings in the cans A and O. i

The upper can 0 is designed to carry solid food, and in it are arranged trays or supports.

- J designates thelower tray, made higher at its center, where it encircles the ventilatingtube. Openings'f are made in the tube below the tray J, in order that air may have free ac' cess to the food supported thereon. Notches g are formed in the edge of tray J to allow it to be withdrawn from the can past the lugs h, which form a support for the outer edge of a second or upper tray H. This upper tray is supported at its center by a shoulder 46, formed by reducing the upper end of the ventilating-tube. Openingsj are formed in the tube below this tray, as in the case of the lower tray. These trays are formed with open spaces, so that the air may have free circulation through the food supported thereon. They may be covered with wire-gauze, if deemed desirable, though this is not essential.

A plate I may or may not be placed within the can. When in position it rests upon the upper end of the ventilating-tube, its edge being below the openings e, and to guard against stoppage of ventilation I perforate the plate near its outer edge or form ribs upon the bottom of the plate where it rests upon the tube.

It will be seen from the above description that the food contained in the can,while protected, is at all times in direct contact with the outer air, and a current once started through the tube will continue. As is often the case, hot liquids are placed in the lower vessel, which warms the air in the tube slightly, causing the air to rise through the tube and thus starting the current, which, when once started, will continue.

If, for any reason, it is desired to stop the ventilation, all that is necessary is to place a stopper or cork in the lower end of the ventilating-tube, thus preventing any How of air through the can.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. A lunch can comprising two sections; the outer section adapted to hold liquid in its lower portion and having feet or projections formed on its base; the inner section supported within the upper portion of the outer section; and a continuous ventilating tube extending from the bottom of the can and discharging into the inner section.

2. A lunch can comprising two sections; the outer section adapted to hold liquid in its lowerportion; the inner section supported within the upper section; an open ventilating tube extending from the bottom of the outer section up into the upper section; and means for forming a tight joint at the junction of the tube and the upper section.

3. A lunch can comprising two sections, the inner section supported within the upper portion of the outer section; an open-tube extending through the bottom of the outer section and extending and discharging into the inner section, said tube being reduced at its upper end to form a shoulder; and a tray within the can supported upon said shoulder.

4. In a lunch can, the combination with the outer section provided with feet or projections upon its bottom, an air tube and with openings at its upper end; an inner section provided with openings to register with those in the outer section; and a cover.

5. In a lunch can, the combination with the outer section provided with an air tube, with openings, and with notches d; the inner section provided with openings and with lugs c; and a cover also provided with openings to register with those in the outer and inner sections.

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM EDWIN HOWELL.

\Viinesses:

D. H. MORGAN, B. F. MAHAN. 

